Barangay Dasmariñas, Makati SK chair suspended over alleged corruption

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DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla also says the Sangguniang Kabataan chair of another upscale Makati village has been suspended for alleged falsification of documents

MANILA, Philippines – The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson of Makati’s upscale Barangay Dasmariñas has been suspended over alleged involvement in corruption, while another SK chairperson in Barangay Magallanes was suspended for alleged falsification of documents, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday, April 27.

Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the suspension of the two officials on Monday, April 27.

“Ang corruption ay umabot na sa SK hanggang sa pinakamayaman na mga barangay. Wala po kaming sinisino. Maliit man o mayaman na barangay,” Remulla said during a press briefing on Monday.

(Corruption has reached the SK, even in the wealthiest barangays. We are not singling anyone out, whether the barangay is small or affluent.)

“Ang nakakainis dito, mayaman na ang mga ito. Gusto pang magpayaman gamit ang pera ng gobyerno,” Remulla said. (What’s infuriating is that they’re already wealthy, yet they still want to get richer using government funds.

According to Remulla, Barangay Dasmariñas SK Chairperson Natalia Georgianna Tupaz was suspended for six months following a March 23, 2026 resolution.

Remulla said that Tupaz allegedly demanded a 20% kickback from JMVC Catering and Services for a Halloween project, an arrangement that investigators claimed was corroborated through Viber messages and a phone call.

Tupaz was also accused of submitting an SK resolution bearing a falsified signature of the SK secretary. Tupaz already filed her resignation on March 8.

In Barangay Magallanes, SK chair Cecilia Louise Yabut was suspended for three months under an April 6, 2026 resolution for allegedly submitting documents with forged signatures.

A barangay probe found Yabut forged the signature of SK Kagawad Ethan Sun, who was in Canada at the time. The documents included a purchase request and an SK resolution for a Halloween project.

Yabut admitted the documents were not personally signed but said prior consent had been given, Remulla said.

Yabut took oath as an SK chairperson on February 24, 2025, following the resignation of her predecessor Catherine Clemente, who stepped down after receiving a promotion at her corporate job.

DILG said criminal complaints will be filed against Tupaz and Yabut.

According to Remulla, Tupaz may face charges of direct bribery, violation of Republic Act No. 3019, and falsification of public documents.

Yabut and Barangay Magallanes SK treasurer Anton Mapoy, meanwhile, may also be charged with falsification in connection with a purchase request, Remulla said.

Rappler has reached out to Yabut through the SK Magallanes Facebook and Instagram pages for comment, but has yet to receive a response. Rappler also sent a message to Tupaz through her Facebook page. This story will be updated once they respond.

Remulla is also pushing for the abolition of the SK, citing concerns that some youth officials are being drawn to corruption.

He also pointed to the high attrition rate among SK officials, noting that many leave office within their first year due to marriage, work, or studies, prompting barangays to appoint officers-in-charge.

The DILG secretary said it may be more effective to designate a member of the barangay council to handle youth affairs instead.

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are scheduled on November 2. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, is considering proposals to postpone the elections to save funds amid the Middle East crisis. – Rappler.com